Posts tagged ‘thanksgiving holidays’

On the heels of a vibrant Diwali in India, followed the effervescence of Thanksgiving in the Americas. If Diwali is about expressing thanks to everything that brings light to life; Thanksgiving is about saying ‘gracias‘ to everything that ‘Life’ gives us.

A joyous, unbound and omnipresent feel of celebration takes over everything else this week. The United States had much going on in the past few months from political landslides to weather storms. However, the spirit as they say, triumphs over all else. Yes, there was much to moan over, but bundles more to thank for! So arrived… Thanksgiving.

“Culture appreciates life. Thanking rejuvenates ties” – Rajneesh

This day marks the Mayflower voyage of pilgrims in 1621 who were religious separatists seeking to establish a place for practice of free faith. So came to life Plymouth. Having survived adverse conditions at sea, the pilgrims were greeted by Wampanoag Indians with food from local harvest. The Indians also taught the pilgrims agriculture, specifically corn culture. History has many versions of this story but turkey, corn and pumpkin are invariably cast as protagonists supporting the pilgrims!

Cut to the modern world:

With endless supplies of turkey to boundless offers of premium shopping, life just goes up by a notch this week here in the United States. From “smoking a turkey” with my friends’ wonderful family to saying the supper prayer at a traditional American dining, my first experience of Thanksgiving is one to cherish. In the land that Columbus confused for India, I say thanks to life, lights and to freedom.

P.S: Dedicated to my friend Steve L at Durham, North Carolina. I owe a supper 🙂